[Effects of the long-term tamponade with Densiron on the lens]

This study aims to analyse the long-term effect of Densiron on the crystalline lens.

Eleven patients (53-77 years old) underwent macular surgery with pars plana vitrectomy and intraocular tamponade with Densiron. After 2-4 months the Densiron was removed. The lens was extracted by phacoemulsification and an intraocular lens was implanted. Visual acuity, slit-lamp examination and fundus ophthalmoscopy were performed pre- and postoperatively. During surgery the anterior chamber, the lens und the posterior capsule of the lens were photographed and analysed.

All patients (mean age: 68 +/- 7 years) developed a nuclear cataract combined with a posterior capsule opacification. Four patients demonstrated vacuoles within the lens cortex and in five patients a pseudohypopyon consisting of emulsified Densiron was found. Mean visual acuity was 0.1 before removal of Densiron and 0.1 postoperatively.

Long-term tamponade with Densiron was complicated by early cataract formation in patients aged 68 years on average. The additional posterior capsule opacification showed a distinct pattern and localisation when compared to the use of 5000 mPas-silicone oil as tamponade.